Kilkenny SHL- Shamrocks and Glenmore celebrate Round 2 victories
Shamrocks and O’Loughlin Gaels shared 11 goals in a classic encounter
There was two games in the St Canice’s Credit Union Senior Hurling League on Sunday afternoon with Shamocks Ballyhale and Glenmore celebrating important victories.
The Shamrocks were involved in a classic contest with O’Loughlin Gaels as the two sides showed incredible attacking intent as the Ballyhale side claimed a thrilling 6-22 to 5-15 win in Thomastown.
Of the 11 goals on show, nine of them were shared between two players with Niall Shortall (five) and Ruarc Sweeney (four) producing incredible individual displays on the day.
The Shamrocks were the better team throughout and within 10 minutes they had already built up a 2-5 to 0-3 lead with Niall Shortall netting twice in quick succession.
Conor Kelly and Fionan Mackessy kept O’Loughlin’s in touch during the opening 30 minutes and when Ruarc Sweeney blasted in his side’s opening goal, there was little to seperate the sides.
The Shamrocks still had time to get a third goal of the half with Shortall completing his hat-trick as Mark Aylward’s men led 3-11 to 1-12 at the interval.
There was a sensational beginning to the second period with Ruarc Sweeny backing up his opening display against Dicksboro as he scored three goals for the second game on the trot and all of a sudden last year’s county finalists were in front.
Shamrocks dominated much of the rest of the contest though with points from Richie and TJ Reid helping them retake the initiative and while Sweeney got a fourth major to briefly level matters, the county champions responded in style with Shortall and Jake Mullen adding on further goals to leave 10 points between the sides.
There was still further goals from Shortall and Paddy Deegan in the final few minutes as the Shamrocks eventually won out at the end of an absorbing league clash.
The other game on Sunday saw Glenmore and Bennettsbridge collide in Inistioge and it was Glenmore who took home their first win of the campaign when bringing home a six point success.
The winners had a dream beginning when Darragh Hartley found the net within three minutes before Bennettsbridge soon levelled through scores from Sean Morrissey, Conor Murphy and James Hughes.
It was then nip and tuck for the rest of the half with the sides going into the dressing rooms deadlocked at 1-9 to 0-12.
Consecutive points from Jimmy Lennon, David Blanchfield and Jamie Harkin gave the Bridge a three point buffer on the scoreboard but Glenmore kept plugging away through efforts from Billy Reid, Darragh Vereker and Ger Aylward.
The winners then took complete control when scoring two goals in as many minutes Jason Cody and Ian Byrne shooting to the net past Nicky Cleere.
Further points from Charlie Phelan, Ciaran Kirwan and Ethan Kirwan then gave Glenmore some breathing space and although David Blanchfield goaled in stoppage time, time soon ran out as Glenmore won out on a 3-21 to 1-21 scoreline.